Latest news with #AstonMartinVanquishZagato
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Skip the SUV — These Modern Shooting Brakes Are So Much Cooler
Although uncommon, the shooting brake car style has a noticeable and unique presence all to its own. In the traditional sense, a shooting brake is a three-door station wagon with sporty styling, blurring the lines between sports car and utility with a lower, streamlined stance, focus on performance, and a mix of luxury features. Modern-day variations blend these boundaries further by throwing four-door variations into the mix, as you'll see with some of the options on this list. However, the general aura of the shooting brake remains, and we are all too excited to continue to see them on the market, even in limited quantities at higher prices. This list of some of the best-looking modern shooting brakes on the market might be enough to prove that one car can do it all, but at what cost? Shooting brakes are a rare breed, so to curate this list, we focused on modern models that truly embody the spirit of the format — low-slung, stylish, and sporty with a practical twist. While some stretch the definition with four doors or electric drivetrains, all of them maintain that unmistakable shooting brake attitude: bold proportions, upscale details, and just enough cargo space to feel rebellious. We prioritized cars that: Features distinctive, coupe-like design with an extended roofline Blend performance and utility in a single silhouette Have generated buzz from enthusiasts, collectors, or design critics Were limited in production or uniquely styled (because ordinary wagons need not apply) Pricing and production numbers come from reputable sources, including RM Sotheby's, Evo Magazine, Top Gear, MotorTrend, and official manufacturer data. Enthusiast forums like BimmerLife and Reddit's r/SportWagon also helped us understand which models have earned cult status — and which ones just look the part. If you are unfamiliar with the Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato, you are not alone. Zagato, the Italian coachbuilder, created only 99 of these exclusive and stunning vehicles in collaboration with Aston Martin. They developed a version of the Vanquish, a 5.9-liter naturally aspirated V12-toting British supercar, into a sleek, two-door grand tourer with insane proportions, as reported by British automobile magazine Evo. The catch? These rare, low-production number cars are hard to find and come with a hefty price tag ranging between $400,000, according to collector car auction houses like Barrett-Jackson and RM Sotheby's. Porsche enthusiasts and purists may be conflicted over the introduction of an all-electric sedan into the brand's lineup, according to popular Porsche forums like Rennlist, but anyone who has gotten behind the wheel of the Porsche Taycan could agree that this car is something special. With the addition of the Taycan 4 Cross Turismo, this sporty sedan transforms into a gorgeous shooting brake. Although not as rare as the Vanquish Zagato, the Cross Turismo comes in at a significantly more reasonable starting price of $111,100 and moves upwards of $149,800 for the more performance-oriented Taycan GTS Sport Turismo, according to the Porsche online configurator. If you like classic styling combined with luxury, the Mercedes-AMG CLS Shooting Brake ditches the idea of eccentric body lines and supercar-like styling for a timeless appearance. The AMG-styled radiator grille, combined with the widened rear end and strong roofline, gives the car an aggressive appearance, while the sleek lines of the body and doors stay true to the "quiet luxury" styling Mercedes is known for. Unfortunately for us here in the US, the market for shooting brakes is significantly smaller than that of other countries, and the Mercedes-AMG CLS Shooting Brake hasn't been made available here. For our European readers, however, you can find these starting at €60,000 and up, depending on the insane tech options and stylings in the brand's configurator. The US vehicle market really struggles with the European concept of a shooting brake, but of all of the options available on the market, the Ferrari GTC4Lusso is perhaps the most true to the name 'shooting brake.' In recent years, we've seen Ferrari branch out into more practical vehicles such as the Purosangue, a proper SUV (even if Ferrari doesn't want to admit it's an SUV), and expand into the market of practical, daily-driver-ready sports cars. The GTC4Lusso shooting brake is no exception, boasting a proper Ferrari 12-cylinder engine with an extended roofline and surprisingly usable rear seats. While the GTC4Lusso is no longer available new, they can be found on the used market for a wide range of prices in the 6-figure range, depending on mileage and condition. Although it looks slightly like a wagon, as confirmed by its long chain of polarized comments on the r/SportWagon comment thread, the Genesis G70 takes the overall appearance of the G70 four-door executive luxury sedan we got here in the US market and elongated the body lines into a proper shooting brake that unfortunately did not make it to the US market. Estimated pricing for the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake converts to around $42,300, according to MotorTrend, making it one of the more attainable shooting brakes on this list — as long as you're in a country where it is available. Another example of a striking modern shooting brake we didn't get in the US, the Peugeot 508 SW sits halfway between a station wagon and a shooting brake — based on the Peugeot 508, a family-oriented sedan, with adjusted body lines of a station wagon as denoted by the 'SW' in the name. It's not all that dissimilar from the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake, as shown by the direct comparison of the two by UK's weekly car magazine Auto Express. Although you can no longer order the 508 SW from Peugeot, prices started at £34,910 according to Top Gear. Affectionately nicknamed the "clown shoe" by fans and forums like BMW-specific publication BimmerLife, the BMW Z3 coupe was made in surprisingly low production numbers but was at least available in the US. The specialty website reports that only 2,071 coupes were produced, making it just as uncommon, if not more so, than some of the other options on this list, but at a far more affordable price point. Prices vary drastically for the Z3 coupe, depending on specs, mileage, and condition, but according to online vehicle sales website the average sales price is around $11,989 — quite a big dip from the newer, more modern options on this list for those looking to score a bargain on a rare, US-available shooting brake. The Ferrari GTC4Lusso may be one of the newer shooting brake vehicles in the Italian supercar manufacturer's lineup, but we can't forget about the Ferrari FF. It's a three-door, four-seater with traditional shooting brake proportions, making it a great addition to this list. According to Ferrari, the FF features a 12-cylinder engine supported by not one but two transmissions for a revolutionary four-wheel-drive system. Collector car insurance company Hagerty reports that while the original MSRP for the Ferrari FF started at $302,450 for the base model, today, the average price for a car in good condition is $122,000. With only 2291 produced, that money gets you something that stands out. The Rolls-Royce Wraith Silver Spectre is more of an honorable mention as a one-of-one adaptation, but it definitely deserves some attention. Unlike some of the flashier supercar-based shooting brakes on this list, the Wraith Silver Spectre shows off a simpler design with big 'old money' vibes. According to RM Sotheby's, the collector car auction that saw this car cross the block for $280,265, the designer, Niels van Roij, said that the Rolls-Royce Wraith Silver Spectre shooting brake was designed to "subtly link back to the heyday of shooting brakes in the 1930s." While mainstream buyers have turned their backs on wagons, the shooting brake endures, quietly and confidently, in design studios and collector wishlists around the world. These cars aren't for everyone, and that's kind of the point. They're for those who want practicality without giving up on personality, and who believe hauling groceries shouldn't mean giving up on great design. Whether it's a Ferrari with room for luggage, a Porsche built for grand touring, or a BMW that looks like it escaped from a design experiment, these shooting brakes prove that you really can have it all, if you're willing to search a little harder.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Marella Rivolta-Zagato's Guide to Milan for the Automotive Obsessed
Marella Rivolta-Zagato wakes each day at home in Lago Maggiore. She stares at the serene blue lake, surrounded by her animals, while drinking coffee and eating breakfast. Then, she gets in her car and makes the 45-minute drive to Milan, where she steps into her role as the art director—or, as she prefers to call it 'car architect'—at Zagato. The iconic Italian car design company—renowned for masterpieces like the Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato—has been at the forefront of automotive design for over 105 years. A Zagato stamp, which can be seen in collaborations with legendary automotive brands including Ferrari, Maserati, Rolls-Royce, and Porsche, can triple a car's value. The company created some of the most popular cars of the 1950s and '60s (John Lennon and Pete Townshend were fans) and still today it's a name found everywhere from celebrity garages to PlayStation's Gran Turismo video game. More from Robb Report Audi Just Unveiled a Sleek New A6 Avant Station Wagon Mercedes-Benz Is Road Testing a New EQS With up to 621 Miles of Range An Ultra-Rare De Tomaso Pantera Is Now Heading to Auction As for Rivolta-Zagato, a member of this automotive royal family—she is the granddaughter of Renzo Rivolta, founder of classic car and motorbike manufacturer ISO Rivolta, and the wife of CEO Andrea Zagato—her choice of car for her commute to the Zagato Atelier depends on the mood, she tells Robb Report. While the Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ is her top choice, the Aston Martin is easier to park. Regardless of her choice of machinery, she loves the the drive. 'I enjoy the scenery,' she says. 'I clear my mind when I drive; I tend to think very well.' But if being on the move soothes her, being in Milan is what excites her creativity. 'Milan has always been the most forward-thinking part of Italy for design and innovation,' she says. 'It's not a beautiful city because if you want to come to Italy, you usually go to Rome, Venice, and Florence. But I always had a passion for design, innovation, and history. I go around in Milan because I get inspiration from the fashion; I get inspiration from the museums. There are many places where you can get inspiration.' Below, Rivolta-Zagato shares a slice of her Milan and the spots in the city that inspire her love for motoring. When it's time for a staycation in her native city, Magna Pars Hotel à Parfum and Bulgari Hotel are favorites. For spas, she recommends Portrait Milano, as well as the Mandarin Oriental Spa—if you're a wellness person; she isn't. She gets a little bored during slow treatments at serene spas. Instead, try cryotherapy, she suggests. It takes three minutes—it's like getting health benefits at 200 kilometers an hour. 'Milano is energy!' she says. 'Energy when you walk around. Energy and elegance.' Rivolta-Zagato's ideal day includes a little afternoon shopping at Antonia. The two locations for this store, Palazzo Cagnola and Portrait Milano, both provide incredibly dramatic backdrops for this mix of cutting-edge fashion with interiors that look like the car of the future. Meanwhile Milan's love of cars fuses with fashion as 10 Corso Como. The former garage is now considered the mecca of Milanese fashion. In addition to being a fashion boutique, it is also an art gallery, a bookshop, a restaurant, and a small hotel. When it's time to eat, Rivolta-Zagato recommends heading to traditional and historical restaurants like Bice and Don Lisansder. 'They are typical Milanese restaurants, maybe a little bit old-fashioned in that some of them have not been restructured, but that's how our culture was, a little bit warmer inside, not so modern,' she says. 'They give you that warmth of the typical Mamas and Papas cuisine.' Oder typical dishes of Milan like saffron rice or a veal chop, she adds. For cafe experience, she heads to Corso Como (a shopping complex) or Pasticceria Cova, a typical pastry shop. She said car lovers will love Olio located a bit outside of Milan, in Origgio. You can have a cocktail while surrounded by art and vintage cars from the 1900s. In addition to visiting the Zagato headquarters and seeing the exquisite car models up close, there are plenty of museums. Rivolta-Zagato draws inspiration from Triennale Milan and Museo Alfa Romeo. Located right outside of Milan in Arese, the car museum shows the story behind the iconic car that has been part of automotive history since 1910. The two brands have been working together for over 100 years most recently collaborating in 2022 on a one-off, two-door version of the Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan called the Alfa Romeo Giulia SWB Zagato. Zagato is partial to the roads near her home in Lake Morragio, where you can have unparalleled views of the Alps. 'The roads are beautiful,' she says. 'In Lago Maggiore and Lake Como, there are millions of beautiful scenic roads. You can see the lakes, and right behind the lakes, you see the mountains, the Matterhorn, our Alps.' But she said for more breathtaking drives, get to Strada della Forra, often called the 'eighth wonder of the world.' It provides the perfect collaboration of tunnels, gorges, and rocky cliffs alongside Lake Garda (almost two hours outside of Milan). You could also opt for La Statale Regina, giving you perfect views of Lake Como and classic Milanese villas (one hour from Milan). If you want more of a challenge, Splurga Pass, with its sharp turns and daunting mountain views, is there for you (two hours outside of Milan). And for the adrenaline junkies, she says, try the former Alfa Romero racetrack La Pista at Arese. Best of Robb Report The Ultimate Miami Spa Guide: 15 Luxurious Places to Treat Yourself The 7 Most Insanely Luxurious Spas in the World, From Tokyo to Iceland 17 Reasons the Caribbean Should Be at the Top of Your Travel Itinerary Click here to read the full article.
